Are plant cell wall hydrolysing enzymes of saprobe fungi implicated in the biological control of the Verticillium dahliae pathogenesis?

We studied the possibility that the antagonistic saprobe fungi Coriolopsis rigida, Trametes versicolor, Fusarium lateritium, Penicillium chrysogenum and Verticillium dahliae-2379 may control V. dahliae disease through the inhibition of the activity of hydrolytic enzymes produced by the pathogen. These saprobe fungi were able to decrease the growth in vitro of V. dahliae. The exudates produced by these fungi seemed to be the main factor responsible for their antagonistic effect. The exudates of all the fungi tested had endopolymethylgalacturonase, endoglucanase and endoxyloglucanase activities. Exudates of P. chrysogenum and V. dahliae-2379 had higher hydrolytic activities than those of V. dahliae. The saprobe V. dahliae-2379 did not decrease the growth of the pathogen V. dahliae but decreased its harmful effect on the growth of tomato. However, no inhibition of the activities of the hydrolytic enzyme of the pathogenic V. dahliae by the no pathogenic V. dahliae-2379 or by the other saprobe fungi was observed. Nevertheless, the protection of tomato by the five antagonistic saprobe fungi against V. dahliae disease could be carried out by the induction of plant defense by the hydrolytic enzymes produced by these fungi.     

First detection of spring viraemia of carp virus in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) affected by a septicaemic disease in Mexico

Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) is an infectious disease responsible for severe economic losses for various cyprinid species, particularly common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio). The causative agent is the SVC virus (SVCV), a member of the Sprivivirus genus, Rhabdoviridae family, and a List 1 pathogen notifiable by the World Organization for Animal Health. This study describes the diagnosis of an SVCV pathogen isolated in October 2015 from wild common carp inhabiting a natural lagoon in central Mexico. While neither an epidemic nor fish mortalities were reported, the collected killed specimens exhibited clinical signs of disease (e.g., exopthalmia, moderate abdominal distension and haemorrhaging, as well as internal haemorrhages and adhesions). Histological results of injuries were consistent with the pathology caused by SVCV. This finding was supported by the isolation of a virus in EPC and BF‐2 cells and subsequent RT‐PCR confirmation of SVCV. The phylogenetic analyses of partial SVCV glycoprotein gene sequences classified the isolates into the Ia genogroup. These findings make this the first report of SVCV detection in Mexico, extending the southern geographical range of SVCV within North America. However, since this pathogen was detected in fish inhabiting a natural body of water without tributaries or effluents, it is difficult to estimate the risk of SVCV for other wild/feral cohabitating cyprinid species in the lagoon. The status of this virus is also unknown for other bodies of water within this region.     

The persistence of secondary forests on colonist farms in the BrazilianAmazon

While slash-and burn farmers convert forest to agriculture, they also regenerate significant areas of secondary fallow forests on their farms. Under what conditions does secondary forest cover persist on slash-and-burn farms? Survey data from Pará, Brazil show that secondary forests occupy 20% of farm area even after a century of settlement. In addition to restoring soil fertility, secondary forests contribute over 20% of farmers' income through products such as charcoal, fruit, game animals and firewood for on-farm processing. Econometric analysis shows that slow rates of population growth and increases in agricultural incomes through on-farm processing of agricultural products enable farmers to maintain long fallows and result in diversified systems compatible with secondary forest cover in the study area. On the other hand, declining agricultural productivity, subsidized credit, declines in the growth rate of secondary forests and policies favoring speculative land acquisition threaten secondary forest persistence. In older settlement areas, secondary forests are often the only forest resource available to the rural poor. Fallow areas should therefore be managed not only for agricultural productivity, but also for conserving forest resources.     

Improved zinc tolerance in Eucalyptus globulus inoculated with Glomus deserticola and Trametes versicolor or Coriolopsis rigida

The potential of interactions between saprophytic and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to improve Eucalyptus globulus grown in soil contaminated with Zn were investigated. The presence of 100 mg kg ⁻¹ Zn decreased the shoot and root dry weight of E. globulus colonized with Glomus deserticola less than in plants not colonized with AM. Zn also decreased the extent of root length colonization by AM and the AM fungus metabolic activity, measured as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of the fungal mycelium inside the E. globulus root. The saprophytic fungi Trametes versicolor and Coriolopsis rigida increased the shoot dry weight and the tolerance of E. globulus to Zn when these plants were AM-colonized. Both saprophytic fungi increased the percentage of AM root length colonization and elevated G. deserticola SDH activity in the presence of all Zn concentrations applied to the soil. In the presence of 500 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ Zn, there were higher metal concentrations in roots and shoots of AM than in non-AM plants; furthermore, both saprophytic fungi increased Zn uptake by E. globulus colonized by G. deserticola. The higher root to shoot metal ratio observed in mycorrhizal E. globulus plants indicates that G. deserticola enhanced Zn uptake and accumulation in the root system, playing a filtering/sequestering role in the presence of Zn. However, saprophytic fungi did not increase the root to shoot Zn ratio in mycorrhizal E. globulus plants. The effect of the saprophytic fungi on the tolerance and the accumulation of Zn in E. globulus was mediated by its effect on the colonization and metabolic activity of the AM fungi.     

Effect of clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) essential oils in Nile tilapia diets on performance,antioxidant power and lipid oxidation in fillets

This study evaluated the addition (0.35 and 0.70 g/kg feed) of clove (EOcl) or cinnamon (EOci) essential oils to Nile tilapia feed for 45 days to assess animal performance, antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidation in fillets. The design was completely randomised with five treatments and three replicates. Antioxidant capacity was determined by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC_FL), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazylhydrate (DPPH), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) and 2,2’‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays, and lipid oxidation was determined by the thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARs) assay. Animal performance was not altered by adding the essential oils. The fillets treated with 0.35 g/kg of EOcl presented higher antioxidant capacity in the L‐ORAC_FL assay and a 40.3% reduction in lipid oxidation, whereas the EOci provided a pro‐oxidant effect relative to the control treatment. Based on these results, adding 0.35 g/kg of EOcl to the diet for 45 days before slaughter increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced the lipid oxidation of the fillets, contributing to product quality without altering animal performance.     

Polyculture of Freshwater Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare and Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in low‐salinity water

In this study, we evaluated the production potential of the polyculture of Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare, Cichlidae) and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Two experimental trials were set up. The first trial entailed the use of a randomized design to investigate three treatments options: angelfish monoculture, shrimp monoculture, and fish and shrimp polyculture in 12 experimental 15 m² ponds. In the second trial, we investigated two treatments (polyculture of caged fish and uncaged fish) in 10 experimental units. In trial 1, polyculture negatively affected fish growth and survival. However, fish did not affect shrimp growth and the greatest profit was achieved in polyculture. In trial 2, caging fish improve the growth of both fish and shrimp. An economic analysis showed the greatest profit and benefit cost ratio for caged fish compared with uncaged fish. We conclude that growing P. scalare and L. vannamei together is a better strategy than shrimp monoculture in low‐salinity water. The use of caged fish in such a polyculture operation would enhance productivity and profitability.     

Effects of live feed containing Panagrellus redivivus and water depth on growth of Betta splendens larvae

Panagrellus redivivus is a nematode with a high protein content and low‐cost production. It is successfully used in the larviculture of shrimp, however, it has not yet been evaluated as feed for Betta splendens larvae. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate P. redivivus as feed for betta larvae maintained at different depths of water. The experiment was based on a completely randomized 3 × 2 factorial design, represented by two feed types and one alternating feeding regime plus two water depths (2.5 and 5.0 cm). The Artemia feed promoted the highest weight gain, followed by the alternating feeding regime. The single use of the nematode as live feed produced the poorest weight gain. The water depth and the feeding method influenced the specific growth rate (SGR). At a depth of 2.5 cm, the alternating feeding promoted similar SGR compared to fish fed with Artemia only. Furthermore, at the greater water depth an improvement in SGR was observed in fish fed Artemia only, but the similarity to alternating feeding regime remains. Thus, the inclusion of nematode is an appropriate and lower cost feed strategy for the betta larviculture independent of water depths.     

Maternal undernutrition during the pre- and post-conception periods in twin-bearing hairsheep ewes: effects on fetal and placental development at mid-gestation

To evaluate the effects of pre- and post-conception undernutrition (UN) on fetal and placental development at mid-gestation, 28 Katahdin × Pelibuey multiparous ewes were blocked by weight and assigned to the following four dietary treatments (n = 7 each): ewes fed 100% (control) or 60% of their nutritional requirements 30 days before mating (UNPre), 50 days after mating (UNPost) or during both periods (UNB). Four twin-bearing ewes were selected per treatment at day 50 post-conception and then slaughtered at day 75 of gestation to analyze their fetuses. Control fetuses were heavier (P < 0.05) than UNPost and UNB fetuses in 14.6 and 9.4%, respectively. Organ weights as percentage of the fetal weight (except for liver) and morphometric measurements (except for abdominal girth) were similar between control and UN fetuses (UNPre, UNPost, and UNB). Placental mass was heavier (P < 0.05) in control ewes than UNB ewes, but not relative to ewes of other treatments. The number of placentomes per ewe and placental efficiency were unaffected by UN treatments. Compared to control, only UNB ewes exhibited variations (P < 0.05) in the proportion of placentomes, specifically for type A (+13.8%) and B (?12.6%). Placentomes of type A and B had lower weight, length, and width of placentas in UNPost and UNB ewes than placentas of control ewes (P < 0.05). Overall results indicate that fetal and placental development of ewes carrying twins is mainly altered when nutritional restriction occurs simultaneously before conception and during the first third of pregnancy.     

Prescribed burning of Pinus oocarpa in Honduras II. Effects on nutrient cycling

The effects of prescribed burning on nutrient cycling were studied in a stand of oocarpa pine (Pinus oocarpa Schiede) in central Honduras. Small paired runoff plots were subjected to a low-intensity prescribed burn in one of two seasons and nutrient losses in runoff water and sediment were monitored together with nutrient inputs in bulk precipitation.Burning increased the loss of nutrients and net losses of calcium, potassium and magnesium were recorded during the first $\text{16}\text{1}\text{2}$ months after burning. Increased rates of sediment loss rather than increased losses in surface runoff were responsible for the greater part of the increase in total nutrient losses from the burned plots. Greater quantities of nutrients were lost from the plots burned just prior to the dry season than from those burned after the start of the wet season because of slow recovery of the ground vegetation during the dry season and exposure to the intense rains of May and early June. Recovery from burning was rapid and runoff and sediment loss from the burned plots approached the levels of controls 2 years after burning. As nutrient losses are a reflection of total runoff and sediment losses, it is probable that no net nutrient losses would have been detected during the 2nd year after burning had sampling been continued. The net nutrient losses recorded were small and this is attributed to the low initial fuel loadings, low fire intensities and the rapid rate of recovery of the ground vegetation. The significance of other potential sources of losses and gains of nutrients is discussed and it is concluded that low-intensity prescribed burning for hazard reduction, with burning cycles ranging from three to seven or more years, will reduce the rate of nutrient accumulation on the site rather than deplete the nutrient capital.     

Experimental Collection of Pearl Oyster, Pinctada mazatlanica and Pteria sterna, Spat on a Filament Substrate

Juveniles of Pinctada mazatlanica and Pteria sterna were collected with artificial collectors from Falsa Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico during a 12 month experimental period. Filament substrate artificial collectors contained in 2 mm plastic mesh bags (25 ± 25 cm) were deployed from the surface to 17 m of depth, and replaced monthly. Pinctada mazatlanica had the greatest recruitment (12 juveniles/cm²) in late summer and P. sterna (5 juveniles/cm²) in winter. Maximum spat collection from September 1986 to April 1987 occurred at 10 m depth for P. mazatlanica and at 4–7 m depth for P. sterna . However, peak spatfall under 11m depth occurred from late July to August 1987. The mean prodissoconch shell height was 254 μ m (SE = 0.003; N = 50) for P. mazatlanica and 313 μm (SE = 0.004; N = 50) for P. sterna . The growth equations for the first five weeks of both species, based on the prodissoconch shell height and the maximum spat height (measured from the umbo to distal edge) are presented.